Ted spent his early childhood in Whitman, N.D., on the family farm, running horse-drawn farm equipment with his seven siblings. In 1943, he ran off to become a cowboy in Montana. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in December 1955, serving in the Korean War. His time in the Air Force ended in November 1959.
After he came home from the service, he worked for Schmidt Construction, building roads. He met the love of his life, Carrie Loretta McGruder, in Meeker at The Meeker Cafe while working on road construction outside of Meeker, and they were married March 14, 1962.
Ted later adopted Carrie’s children from a previous marriage, Merle (1956) and LaVina (1958). To Ted and Carrie’s union, Ted Russell (1966) and Valerie Gaye (1968) were born. Ted and Carrie were the owners of White River Bowl for 30 years, when they made many friends and raised their family of four. Carrie took care of the bowling alley while Ted drove truck a few years for Harps Transportation. He was very handy with almost any tool and could fix just about anything. This was evident in the building and remodeling of the family home in Meeker and his ability to figure out the mechanics needed to keep the machines running at the bowling alley.
He loved hunting, camping, fishing, bowling and polka, but gardening was his passion as, every year, many family and friends benefitted from his garden surplus.
He never knew a stranger and could talk your ear off when given the chance.
He leaves behind daughter Sharon LaVina (Larry) Reese and son Ted R. Bina (Pam LaCount). He was known as Poppa Bina to his grandchildren, Audra Lynn Underhill and Gerald Ray Reese; Mackenzie Kate and Tristin Tate Bina; and Grace Emily Phillips. His great grandchildren are Clay Dillon Richardson, Cameron Riley Underhill, Kierstyn Reese Underhill and Kaleah Jo Lynn Reese.
Theodore will also be greatly missed by his special friend, Bernice Robinson of Lemon, S.D.
He is also survived by his siblings, Bette, Laddie and Pete. He also leaves behind many cousins, nieces, nephews and many memories for the family to reminisce on. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Carrie, daughter Valerie and son Merle. He was also preceded in death by his siblings, Margaret Kotaska, Henrietta Brett, Stanley Bina and Edythe Telander.
